• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.24 no.12
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• pp.1718-1728
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• 2011

Two experiments were conducted to investigate the in vitro ability of keratinase to hydrolyze soybean glycinin and ${\beta}$-conglycinin and to evaluate the in vivo effects of keratinase when included in corn-soybean diets with different levels of crude protein and fed to nursery pigs. In experiment 1, a saturated keratinase solution (1 ml) was added to two blank controls of either glycinin or ${\beta}$-conglycinin resulting in the hydrolysis of 94.74% glycinin and 88.89% ${\beta}$-conglycinin. In experiment 2, 190 pigs (8.3${\pm}$0.63 kg BW) were allotted to one of four treatments in a 2${\times}$2 factorial arrangement on the basis of body weight, and sex was balanced among the pens. The effects of crude protein (19 vs. 22%) and keratinase (0 vs. 0.05%) were studied. Each treatment was applied to six pens with seven (two pens) or eight pigs per pen. Pigs were fed the experimental diets for 21 d. Weight gain and feed conversion ratio were improved (p<0.05) with keratinase supplementation while feed intake was reduced (p<0.05). Keratinase supplementation increased (p<0.05) the apparent total tract digestibility of dry matter, energy, crude protein and phosphorus. Keratinase supplementation also increased n-butyric acid in the cecum and colon, lactobacilli and total anaerobe counts in the colon as well as the ratio of villus height to crypt depth in the ileum. Additionally, fecal score, ammonia nitrogen and branch chain volatile fatty acids in the colon, E. coli and total aerobe counts in the colon, crypt depth in the jejunum and ileum as well as serum interleukin-1 and interleukin-6 concentrations were also decreased (p<0.05) by keratinase supplementation. A reduction in dietary crude protein decreased (p<0.05) colon ammonia nitrogen concentration and cecal propionic acid and branch chain volatile fatty acid concentrations. In addition, cecal E. coli counts, colon total anaerobe counts, ileal crypt depth, and serum interleukin-1 and interleukin-6 concentrations were also decreased (p<0.05) with the reduction of dietary crude protein. With the exception of fecal scores, there were no significant interactions between crude protein and keratinase. This study provides evidence that dietary keratinase supplementation improved nursery pig performance by improving intestinal morphology and ecology, thus improving nutrient digestibility and alleviating the inflammatory response.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.143-150
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• 2015

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of different litter mixture compositions on bedding system temperature, pH and volatile fatty acid and ammonia-N ($NH_3$-N) content, and the serum physico-chemical parameters and growth indices of calves. Thirty-two Limousin calves ($280{\pm}20kg$) were randomly assigned to four groups (n = 8 for each group) according to the bedding system used: i) control with soil only (CTR); ii) mixture with 50% paddy hulls (PH), 30% saw dusts (SD), 10% peat moss (PM) and 10% corn cobs (CC) (TRT1); iii) mixture with 15% PH, 15% SD, 10% PM, 40% CC, and 20% corn stover (CS) (TRT2); iv) mixture with 30% PH, 10% PM, 40% CC, and 20% CS (TRT3). The litter material combinations of different treatments were based on the cost of bedding system materials in China. The cost of four treatments from low to high: Control$NH_3$-N level (271.83 to 894.72 mg/kg) was lowest for TRT1 (p<0.0001) and highest for TRT2 (p<0.0001). The acetate, propionate and butyrate levels were highest for the control group (p<0.0001). In all the groups, the pH value (6.90 to 9.09) increased at the beginning and later remained stable at below 9.09. The temperature of deep litter increased at the first week and reached the maximum ($42.1^{\circ}C$) on day 38. 3,5,3'-Triiodothyronine ($T_3$) levels in the TRT1 group animals (p<0.0001) were lower than those in the control and TRT2 animals. 3,5,3',5'-Tetraiodothyronine ($T_4$) in the TRT1 group (p = 0.006) was lower than that in the other treatment groups. Cortisol (COR) in the control and TRT1 group was lower (p<0.0001) than that in the TRT2 and TRT3 groups. Corticosterone (CORt) in the control group was higher (p<0.0001) than that in the treatment groups. The findings indicate that the deep litter bedding systems provided better conditions for animal health and growth performance compared with the control system. Furthermore, the litter composition of TRT1 was found to be optimal among the three treatment groups.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.54 no.4
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• pp.412-421
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• 2021

Purpose: Thioacetamide (TAA) produces reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the liver, and the generated ROS induces liver injury through inflammatory reactions. The current study was undertaken to investigate the hepatoprotective effect of Artemisiae Capillaris Herba water extract (AC), imparted via its antioxidant activity, in an animal model of TAA-induced liver injury. Methods: Animal experiments were conducted in 5 groups: normal, control (TAA 200 mg/kg), SM (TAA 200 mg/kg + silymarin 100 mg/kg), ACL (TAA 200 mg/kg + AC 100 mg/kg), ACH (TAA 200 mg/kg + AC 200mg/kg). TAA (intraperitoneal) and treatment compounds (per oral) were administered for 3 days. Serum levels of ammonia concentration and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity were subsequently measured. Liver tissues were subjected to western blot analysis for measuring the oxidative stress (NADPH oxidase), anti-oxidative activity (Nrf2, heme oxygenase-1 [HO-1], superoxide dismutase [SOD], catalase, and GPx-1/2), tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase (TIMP)-1, and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) protein expressions. Results: Serum ammonia levels and MPO activity were significantly increased in the TAA-induced control group, whereas groups administered AC treatment showed markedly reduced levels. Western blot analysis revealed significantly increased NOX2 and p22^phox expressions, (oxidative stress-related factors) in the TAA-induced control group. These levels were determined to be significantly decreased after AC exposure. Moreover, antioxidant-related factors including Nrf2, HO-1, SOD, catalase, and GPx-1/2 were significantly decreased in the control group and increased in the AC treated groups. In addition, MMP expressions were significantly suppressed in the AC treatment group due to increased levels of TIMP-1. Conclusion: Taken together, these data indicate that exposure to AC reduces the oxidative stress by inhibiting the expression of NADPH oxidase (NOX2 and p22^phox) through the Nrf2 signaling pathway. We therefore propose the potential of AC for the prevention and treatment of TAA-induced liver injury.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.501-508
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• 1994

This study was undertaken to get basic data for the cold-waterless transportation of live fish. The optimal cold temperature of plaice, Paralichthy olivaceus was determined by checking the changes of dissolved oxygen and ammonia in the sea water and the survival times during storage at various temperatures. After determination of optimal temperature for transportation, the changes of serum components and muscle components of live plaice were also carried out during storage at cold($5^{\circ}C$)-waterless conditions and the recovery conditions($10\%$ density at $15^{\circ}C$). At higher storage temperature, decreases in dissolved oxygen and the increases in ammonia in seawater were observed. In addition, the survival time was short at low temperature($0^{\circ}C\;and\;3^{\circ}C$). Almost all of the serum components(hemoglobin, glucose, LDH, GOT and GPT) of live plaice gradually increased during storage in cold-waterless conditions, and then those values decreased to the initial levels after $3{\sim}10hrs$ storage in conditions of recovery. The concentration of ATP in the muscle steadily decreased during storage in cold-waterless conditions. The contents of ADP and IMP seemed to be directly related to the extent of ATP breakdown. ADP and IMP thus showed a gradual increase during storage. The level of lactate in the muscles gradually increased during these storage times, also. On the other hand, the levels of those components in the muscle entirely recovered to their original levels within $3{\sim}6hrs$ storage after they were returned to conditions of recovery. The ratio of ATP to the ATP and its related compounds${ATP/(ATP+ADP+AMP+IMP){\times}100}$ in the muscle showed $45\%$ after 18hrs storage in cold-waterless conditions. Otherwise, ratios returned to their original levels within $3{\sim}6hrs$ of storage in recovery conditions.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.14 no.12
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• pp.1683-1689
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• 2001

The levels of urea nitrogen both in blood (BUN) and milk (MUN), and milk protein (MP) reflect protein and energy intake in dairy herd feeding. Blood and milk constituents may be changes rhythmically and influence by different sampling time within a day and after feeding. Trials were conducted using five dietary treatments in both lactating and dry cows to study the effects of sampling time on concentrations of BUN, MUN and whole blood ammonia nitrogen (BAN) in practical dairy cow feeding in Taiwan. The conventional feed ingredients and forages including corn silage, alfalfa hay, timothy or pangola hay and corn grain were used as major source of the diet to follow practical dairy cow feeding. Five different diets were varying in amounts (low=L; standard=S; high=H) of crude protein (P) and energy (E) according to the NRC (1989). The energy to protein ratios in kcal/kg for the PSES, PLES, PHES, PSEH and PSEL were 10.82, 12.54, 9.41, 12.53 and 9.13 in lactating cows, and 11.38, 13.33, 9.78, 13.28 and 9.74 in dry cows, respectively. Results showed that after feeding at 9:30, BUN reached peak at 13:30 and was significantly higher than those to that sampled at 14:30 to 18:30 (p<0.05) in dry cows. Therefore the best blood sampling time for urea nitrogen assay in dry cows is 4 hours after morning feeding. In lactating cows, BUN of 13:30 was significantly higher than those of 8:30 to 11:30 (p<0.05), but there were no significant difference between the BUN values of other sampling time. Hence the suitable blood sampling time for BUN value in lactating cows was located on 3 to 8 hours after morning feeding, but the best time was 4 hours after morning feeding. MUN content is significantly higher in the afternoon collected bulk milk than the fore-strip morning milk (p<0.05), therefore the best sampling time for MUN is from afternoon collected bulk milk. Diurnal BAN changed without traceable rhythmic pattern and was negatively correlated to the BUN (r = -0.78). It is suggested that BAN may not be a good indicator for monitoring dairy cow feeding.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Inherited Metabolic disease
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.165-170
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• 2015

Ornithine transcarbamylase (OTC) deficiency is a rare X-linked genetic disorder of urea synthesis in newborns. It is the most common urea cycle disorder and leads to elevated levels of ammonia in the blood. Excessive ammonia can cause various symptoms, including vomiting, lethargy, and coma. Boys have a more serious form of OTC deficiency than girls. If not treated immediately, severe OTC deficiency can lead to neurologic abnormalities, hyperammonemic coma, and death. Because late-onset OTC deficiency, which is more common in girls, presents mild symptoms, it is easy to miss diagnosis and prompt treatment. We describe an 11-month-old girl who presented periodic vomiting, intermittent lethargy, and seizure. She was diagnosed with OTC deficiency by elevated serum ammonia and urine orotic acid levels. Genetic analysis of the OTC gene revealed a missense mutation in exon 5 (c.418G>C). We reported an experience of exact diagnosis and successful treatment of late-onset OTC deficiency in our patient.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Clinical Toxicology
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.136-143
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• 2016

Purpose: In patients with altered mentality caused by drugs or unknown causes, ammonia is checked to facilitate differential diagnosis or diagnose hepatic coma. This helps early prevention and treatment of brain damage due to hyperammonemia. This study was conducted to evaluate clinical characteristics of intoxicated adult patients with hyperammonemia. Methods: We evaluated 95 patients with hyperammonemia among intoxicated patients above the age of 15 who visited our ED from January 2013 to December 2015. We analyzed the demographic characteristics and type of poisoning substance, reason for ingestion, toxicological characteristics such as elapsed time from ingestion to hospital visit, lab, clinical progression and complications. Data were evaluated using the student's t test or Mann-Whitney U test for continuous variables, and Chi-square test and Fisher's exact test for frequency analysis of categorical variables. Results: When compared to healthy individuals, patients with hyperammonemia showed statistical significance on their SOFA score (p=0.016) and poison severity score (p<0.001). Additionally, patients with hyperammonemia showed significantly different initial serum AST level (p=0.012) and maximum serum AST level during the hospital stay (p=0.026) when compared to healthy individuals. Moreover, individuals with sustained hyperammonemia compared to transient hyperammonemia showed clinically significant SOFA scores (p<0.001), poison severity scores (p=0.007), mortality rates in the ICU (p=0.021), as well as different duration of hospital stay (p=0.037), serum creatinine level (p=0.002), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (p=0.025), and serum myoglobin (p=0.015). Conclusion: Most poisoning-induced hyperammonemia cases were transient and recovered without special treatment. Therefore, hyperammonemia is almost non-specific among poisoning patients.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.36 no.7
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• pp.711-719
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• 2003

The effects of taurine, carnitine or glutamine supplementation on endurance exercise performance along with related fatigue factors were evaluated in male college students in the Department of Physical Education, who's maximal oxygen consumption rates (VO$_2$max) were equivalent to those of endurance athletes. Twenty four subjects were randomly divided into 4 groups (n=6), and given placebo, taurine (4 g/day), carnitine (4 g/day), or glutamine (4 g/day) tablets for 2 weeks. Subjects could run 6.9 min or 9.0 min longer until exhausted on a treadmill at the intensity of 75% VO$_2$max following taurine or camitine supplementation for 2 weeks, respectively, compared to the value measured prior to each supplementation. Glutamine or placebo supplementation did not improve the endurance exercise performance based on the running time until exhausted on a treadmill. Serum lactate concentrations measured 1 hr after the initiation of the endurance exercise, as well as at all-out state tended to be decreased by taurine, carnitine, or glutamine supplementation, and were significantly lowered (43% decrease) by carnitine supplementation (p < 0.05). Taurine supplementation significantly reduced the serum inorganic phosphorus concentration measured at all-out state (14% decrease, p < 0.05), while carnitine supplementation significantly lowered the resting state serum inorganic phosphorus level (20% decrease, p < 0.05). Taurine (32% reduction) or carnitine (23% reduction) supplementation significantly decreased serum ammonia concentration measured at all-out state (p < 0.05). From these results, 4 g/day of taurine or carnitine supplementation appears to improve the endurance exercise performance and related human fatigue factors.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.357-364
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• 2005

We surveyed the incidence of urinary calculi for feeding period, urinary lesion, composition of calculi and changes of serum chemistry with Korean native castrated steers, which are growing until 26 through 31 months. Without showing any clinical signs such as urethral obstruction, hydronephrosis and strangury for all group, $37.8\%$ (34 out of 90) of Korean native steers carried urinary calculi in carcass. The incidence of urine calculi far different feeding stages from 26 to 31 months were observed as $13.3-60.0\%$er, no significant differences were detected. The distribution of calculi were kidney $(24.4\%)$, kidney and bladder $(10\%)$ and kidney, bladder and urine $(3.3\%)$. Congestion of urinary bladder was shown in $26.6\%$ of Korean native steers. Korean native steers with urinary calculi $(41.2\%)$ had more possibilities (P<0.05) to bring outbreaks of congestion of urinary bladder than those of without calculi $(17.8\%)$. The main composition of calculi were struvite (magnesium ammonium phosphate crystals), calcium phosphate, calcium carbonate, calcium oxalate, non-oxalate calcium, ammonia and phosphate. The distribution of urine pH was $71.7\%$(above pH 8.0), $12.2\%$ (between pH 7.0 and pH 8.0) and $16.6\%$ (under pH 7.0). Like shown in herbivores, most of the urine pH was distributed as alkaline urine. Serum creatinine was shown significant difference (P<0.05) according to incidence of calculi but other serum chemistry didn't show any difference in serum chemistry. These results suggest that feeding until 26 to 31 months in Korean native steers castrated at 6 months of the age elicits urinary calculi and congestion of urinary bladder, but not clinical abnormality. And adjustment of the dietary Can ratio to a level of 2:1 or greater during feeding period may reduce the possibility of incidence of urinary calculi in Korean native steers.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.246-252
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• 2010

In order to improve the availability of phytase and probiotics together, a phytase gene from Aspergillus ficuum has been expressed in Lactobacillus. In this study, the transformed Lactobacillus with phytase gene was fed to pigs to determine its effect on pig production, feed conversion and gut microbes. Forty eight, 60-day-old, castrated pigs (Duroc${\times}$Landrace${\times}$Pietrain) were assigned to 6 groups, 8 pigs for each group. Group 1 was the control, group 2 was added with chlortetracycline (500 mg/kg), group 3 was added with the transformed Lactobacillus (500 mg/kg) with 20% (w/w) of calcium monohydrogen phosphate (CMP, $CaHPO_{4}$) removed, group 4 was added with the natural Lactobacillus (500 mg/kg) with 20% (w/w) of CMP removed, group 5 was added with the transformed Lactobacillus (500 mg/kg) with 40% (w/w) of CMP removed, group 6 was added with phytase (500 mg/kg) with 40% (w/w) of CMP removed. The results showed: i) the average daily gain (ADG) was improved in groups 2, 3 and 4 (p<0.05); ii) the diarrhea rates in the groups added with Lactobacillus were lower than in the other groups (p<0.05), in which the transformed Lactobacillus had more effect on reducing digestive disease; iii) the transformed Lactobacillus was most effective in improving the digestibilities of crude protein (CP), calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), compared with the other groups (p<0.05); iv) Lactobacillus could increase lactic acid bacterium number and ammonia concentrations, and decrease pH values and E. coli number in pig feces (p<0.05); v) the phytase activity in the feces of pigs fed with the transformed Lactobacillus was 133.32 U/g, which was higher than in group 4 (9.58 U/g, p<0.05), and was almost the same as group 6 (135.94 U/g); vi) the transformed Lactobacillus could increase serum concentrations of IgA, triglyceride, and glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase activity (p<0.05), and had no significant effect on other serum indexes (p>0.05).